When I heard that our local county board of supervisors sold the property near where I live to a developer, I wanted to destroy them. I wanted to contact the state police and department of justice because there is something fishy going on here. I wanted these entities to make their life miserable and potentially send them to prison for a very long time. This will be the fourth or fifth property this development company has bought from the county.
I prayed and insteadGod sent several bible scriptures to me. One of them was Romans 12:19
Romans 12:19 New International Version (NIV)
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay
Matthew 5:43-48 New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
says the Lord.
Anyone who knows me knows that I wanted to destroy these people that voted to sell to a developer. No this does not mean that I want to kill them, but I want them to go to prison or whatever else was suitable for this situation.
However, after reflecting upon this action, I realized that was one of the most anti-Christian attitudes I could have.
I hate being Christian at times, but I am thankful that I am. I know it sounds contradictory, but the reality is that if I had to choose between being a Christian and accepting Gods way or not being Christian and taking things into my own hand, I would choose being a Christian even though it would mean praying for my enemies.
God I pray that you will help anyone of us that seeks vengeance to understand that you are the only one that can take revenge. I pray that you will instill Christs attitude in us to love our neighbor as our self and to love our enemies and to pray for them. I realize that this is a broad request and not everyone will feel this way, but please help those that feel as I do to open their hearts to accept your word.